<p>Learn about different types of fungal infections, the causes, and the signs and symptoms to look for.</p>

<h2>What is a fungal infection?</h2>
<p>Fungi are organisms like mushrooms, molds and yeasts. As parasites they live on or in other plants or animals. Some fungi live on humans and cause skin disease. Some fungal infections are called tinea.</p>
<p>Here are some common types of fungal infections:</p>
<ul>
<li>Body ringworm is a fungal infection on the body.</li>
<li>Scalp ringworm is a fungal infection of the scalp. It occurs most commonly in young children. </li>
<li>Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot. It is more common in teens and older people. </li>
<li>Nail fungus is rare in children.</li>
</ul>
<p>See <a href="/Article?contentid=787&language=English">tinea versicolor</a> and <a href="/Article?contentid=23&language=English">oral thrush</a> for more information on some other fungal conditions.</p>

<h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>Athlete's foot is common in teens.</li>
<li>Nail fungus is rare in children.</li>
<li>Discourage your child from sharing personal items like combs or hats with friends.</li>
<li>Over-the-counter antifungal lotion usually helps relieve the irritation. If the infection is more severe or the scalp is affected, oral medication may be prescribed by your child's doctor.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Causes of fungal infections</h2>
<p>Fungal infections happen when fungi attack the outer layer of skin on the scalp or body. Some fungal infections need warm, moist, unclean skin to grow. Encourage your child to adopt good hygiene practices to prevent fungal infections.</p>
<p>Children can catch ringworm directly from an infected person, pet or soil. Your child can also catch the infection from hats, combs, clothing or household items such as carpets.</p>
<p>Unclean, sweaty feet can lead to athlete's foot in adolescents. It can also be caught after walking barefoot on floors of locker rooms and showers at community pools and gyms.</p>

<h2>Treating a fungal infection</h2>
<p>For a fungal infection affecting the body or face, your child's doctor will recommend antifungal lotion. If the infection is widespread or if the scalp is affected, your child's doctor may prescribe an antifungal drug to be taken by mouth.</p>
<p>For athlete's foot, there are specialized sprays, powders and creams are available at your pharmacy. The most effective topical agents are terbinafine, azoles and ciclopiroxolamine.</p>

<p>Learn about different types of fungal infections, the causes, and the signs and symptoms to look for.</p>

<h2>What is a fungal infection?</h2>
<p>Fungi are organisms like mushrooms, molds and yeasts. As parasites they live on or in other plants or animals. Some fungi live on humans and cause skin disease. Some fungal infections are called tinea.</p>
<p>Here are some common types of fungal infections:</p>
<ul>
<li>Body ringworm is a fungal infection on the body.</li>
<li>Scalp ringworm is a fungal infection of the scalp. It occurs most commonly in young children. </li>
<li>Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot. It is more common in teens and older people. </li>
<li>Nail fungus is rare in children.</li>
</ul>
<p>See <a href="/Article?contentid=787&language=English">tinea versicolor</a> and <a href="/Article?contentid=23&language=English">oral thrush</a> for more information on some other fungal conditions.</p>

<h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>Athlete's foot is common in teens.</li>
<li>Nail fungus is rare in children.</li>
<li>Discourage your child from sharing personal items like combs or hats with friends.</li>
<li>Over-the-counter antifungal lotion usually helps relieve the irritation. If the infection is more severe or the scalp is affected, oral medication may be prescribed by your child's doctor.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Causes of fungal infections</h2>
<p>Fungal infections happen when fungi attack the outer layer of skin on the scalp or body. Some fungal infections need warm, moist, unclean skin to grow. Encourage your child to adopt good hygiene practices to prevent fungal infections.</p>
<p>Children can catch ringworm directly from an infected person, pet or soil. Your child can also catch the infection from hats, combs, clothing or household items such as carpets.</p>
<p>Unclean, sweaty feet can lead to athlete's foot in adolescents. It can also be caught after walking barefoot on floors of locker rooms and showers at community pools and gyms.</p>

<h2>Treating a fungal infection</h2>
<p>For a fungal infection affecting the body or face, your child's doctor will recommend antifungal lotion. If the infection is widespread or if the scalp is affected, your child's doctor may prescribe an antifungal drug to be taken by mouth.</p>
<p>For athlete's foot, there are specialized sprays, powders and creams are available at your pharmacy. The most effective topical agents are terbinafine, azoles and ciclopiroxolamine.</p>

<h2>Preventing fungal infections</h2>
<p>Fungal infections can spread by direct person to person contact. Encourage your child to stay away from infected people or pets. Have your pets examined if fungal infections are suspected. Discourage your child from sharing personal items like combs or hats with friends. Encourage good hygiene and use of shoes in public places. </p>

AboutKidsHealth is proud to partner with the following sponsors as they support our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Canada and around the world by making accessible health care information available via the internet.